Govt Cancels Official Aidilfitri Celebration In Selangor

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed that food prepared for the event be distributed to victims of the gas pipeline explosion residing at the temporary relief centres. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The government has cancelled its Selangor state-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri programme in Bangi tomorrow out of respect for the families affected by Tuesday’s gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, confirmed this with FMT.
Nashrul said the celebrations in the other states would still be held.
Anwar is expected to attend a celebration in Pahang (April 11), Kelantan and Penang (April 12), Sarawak (April 19), Perak (April 25) and Perlis (April 27).
In a message shared in a health ministry WhatsApp group for media personnel, Anwar instructed that all food being prepared for tomorrow’s event be distributed to the temporary relief centres hosting the families affected by the gas explosion.
Anwar has also directed that the food be distributed to schools, hostels, orphanages, and old folks’ homes, according to the message. The health ministry was assigned to lead the preparations for tomorrow’s celebration.
In a Facebook post, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the decision to cancel the event was made after receiving consent from the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
“On behalf of the state government, I apologise for any inconvenience caused by this cancellation, which is done out of respect for the victims and families affected by the incident in Putra Heights,” Amirudin said.
“My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the entire organising team and those involved in ensuring that the event could proceed as planned. I deeply appreciate their mutual understanding in prioritising the greater good.”
Yesterday, an opposition MP urged the government to cancel its Hari Raya Aidilfitri programmes at both the state and national levels after stating that Putrajaya’s priority should be to help the victims of the Putra Heights gas explosion.
Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the programmes are expected to cost RM10 million to RM20 million, money which he said should instead be channelled to a special fund for the Putra Heights victims.
The eight-hour fire, which broke out on Tuesday morning along Jalan Putra Harmoni, engulfed a 500m section of the gas pipeline, causing severe damage to hundreds of homes and vehicles.
A total of 235 premises were affected by the blaze, with 87 houses declared a “total loss” and deemed unfit for occupation, while 148 others can be occupied after repairs.
A total of 399 vehicles were also affected, with 225 burnt and 174 damaged.
The prime minister previously announced that the owners of houses that were destroyed by the fire would receive RM5,000, while those whose homes were partially damaged would receive RM2,500 each.
The government will discuss further aid measures when the Cabinet convenes for its weekly meeting next Wednesday. - FMT

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